They declared a 38.48pc decline in earnings to an average of €19,880. However, unlike employees and pensioners, their tax burden fell by 17.7pc, from €4,378 to €3,603.

Now in its sixth straight year of recession, Greece has been forced to slash jobs, pay and pensions in order to secure 240 billion euros in rescue funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

The tough reform measures have sparked mass protests and general strikes in the country, where unemployment is at a record 27pc.

Meanwhile, a decision on releasing Greece’s next bail-out payment was delayed while European debt inspectors await confirmation from the government in Athens on further reform measures.

The German finance ministry said there were five "prior actions" or conditions that needed to be satisfied before the latest tranche could be released.

An update on Greece’s progress in meeting the other five measures will take place on Wednesday, according to a government spokesman.